is no political subject on which it is considered more expedient to express pseudo-enthusiasm than on that of the sins of England.  It is understood that we do not resent it.  It is presumed that we regard it as the Irishman regarded his wife’s cuffs.  In the States a large party, which consists chiefly of those who have lately left English rule, amid who are keen to prove to themselves how wise they have been in doing so, is pleased by this strong language against England; and, therefore, the strong language is spoken.  But the speakers, who are, probably, men knowing something of the world, mean it not at all; they have no more idea of war with England than they have of war with all Europe; and their respect for England and for English opinion is unbounded.  In their political tones of speech and modes of action they strive to be as English as possible.  Mr Spalding’s aspirations were of this nature.  He had uttered speeches against England which would make the hair stand on end on the head of an uninitiated English reader.  He had told his countrymen that Englishmen hugged their chains, and would do so until American hammers had knocked those chains from off their wounded wrists and bleeding ankles.  He had declared that, if certain American claims were not satisfied, there was nothing left for Americans to do but to cross the ferry with such a sheriff’s officer as would be able to make distraint on the great English household.  He had declared that the sheriff’s officer would have very little trouble.  He had spoken of Canada as an outlying American territory, not yet quite sufficiently redeemed from savage life to be received into the Union as a State.  There is a multiplicity of subjects of this kind ready to the hand of the American orator.  Mr Spalding had been quite successful, and was now Minister at Florence; but, perhaps, one of the greatest pleasures coming to him from his prosperity was the enjoyment of the society of well-bred Englishmen in the capital to which he had been sent.  When, therefore, his wife and nieces pointed out to him the fact that it was manifestly his duty to call upon Mr Glascock after what had passed between them on that night under the Campanile, he did not rebel for an instant against the order given to him.  His mind never reverted for a moment to that opinion which had gained for him such a round of applause, when expressed on the platform of the Temperance Hall at Nubbly Creek, State of Illinois, to the effect that the English aristocrat, thorough-born and thorough-bred, who inherited acres and title from his father, could never be fitting company for a thoughtful Christian American citizen.  He at once had his hat brushed, and took up his best gloves and umbrella, and went off to Mr Glascock’s hotel.  He was strictly enjoined by the ladies to fix a day on which Mr Glascock would come and dine at the American embassy.

‘"C.  G.” has come back to see you,’ said Olivia to her elder sister.  They had always called him ‘C.  G.’ since the initials had been seen on the travelling bag.